The Tudor Trumpeter
Written and illustrated by Nadine Cowan
Chapter 1
Aniyah savoured the taste of the fried sweet dough she was sharing with her cousin EJ and their friend Olivia. It was called a festival – one of her favourite snacks from Jamaica. The lunch-time rush at Blue Mahoes, Aniyah and EJ’s family restaurant, was over and now they wanted to play their favourite board game.
2
The Ludi board had brightly coloured squares and painted African masks in the centre. There was an engraving which read: Roll double six, or double three, let’s learn about your history.
This wasn’t just any game. Whenever they played, something amazing happened!
Olivia shook the dice and moved her counter.
3
“I went on a boat tour on the Thames and visited the London Eye yesterday,” Olivia said. “I saw the restaurant from up there, so I waved to you both!”
Before she could say any more, EJ rolled double three. Suddenly, the board illuminated like a fluorescent bulb. The table shook and a tornado that formed a wormhole pulled the children in.
4
Aniyah and Olivia found themselves in a courtyard. Aniyah felt as though a snake had wrapped itself tightly around her waist. She looked down and saw that she was wearing a tight bodice over a gown and linen smock. A small drawstring bag hung from her belt. “We look like princesses!” Olivia said. “I wonder where we are?”
5
They could hear music and cheering in the distance.
Aniyah wrinkled her nose.
“Wherever we are, it stinks! Where’s EJ?”
“He can’t be far –” Olivia began, when someone barged into her.
Paper with drawings on fluttered around them, and coloured chalks and black ink spilled to the ground.
6
“I beg your pardon!” a man exclaimed, as the girls helped him pick up his things.
“Are you a painter?” Olivia asked, handing him some paper.
“Thank you, yes! I was gathering inspiration for the tournament roll and wasn’t looking where I was going.” “Tournament roll?” asked Olivia.
7
“There’s to be a joust in London, in honour of the birth of King Henry VIII’s son, and I’ve been commissioned to paint the tournament. 1511 will go down in history!” replied the painter, before rushing off.
“1511!” gasped Aniyah.
“Henry VIII!” Olivia said at the same time. “No way!”
“What’s a joust?” Aniyah said.
8
“No idea!” Olivia replied. “Maybe it’s something to do with the decorations.”
The girls looked down at the ground. The black ink the artist had dropped had formed a big, gooey puddle. “What a mess,” said Olivia.
Just then, a dark shadow loomed over them. When they turned round, they saw a figure in full armour. The girls gulped.
9
Chapter 2
Laughter erupted from the helmet as the visor was lifted. It was EJ!
“You should’ve seen your faces! This is way cooler than what I arrived in. I found it in that palace over there,” EJ pointed.
Suddenly, a man holding something wrapped in cloth shoved past them. “That’s the second person!” Aniyah grumbled.
10
A voice cried out, “THIEF! STOP HIM!” and a man wearing an ornate turban stopped to catch his breath beside them. “What did he take?” asked EJ. “My trumpet!” the man gasped. “I only rested it for a moment. I’m John; I’m a musician of the court and I need that trumpet for today’s festivities.”
11
